The Swiss nuclear power plants (NPP) Beznau and Gösgen are required to perform standardized safety reviews of the base materials in their reactor pressure vessels to check for possible manufacturing flaws. Through this requirement, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI is implementing a recommendation issued by the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA).
A core shroud is installed inside the pressure vessel in every reactor. This shroud is cylindrical in shape and is made of thick steel plate; it is not under pressure, and it does not perform a barrier function in order to contain radioactivity. ENSI assesses the integrity of core shrouds. The core shroud is open […]
The three oldest Swiss nuclear power plants started operating in 1969 (Beznau-1), 1971 (Beznau-2) and 1972 (Mühleberg), respectively. This means that Beznau-1 will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2009. Accordingly, long-term operation has been an issue in Switzerland for some years and, as long ago as 1991, the regulatory authority required all operators to have […]
